Compact portable tire servicing device

ABSTRACT

A compact portable tire servicing device comprises a base having ground engaging wheels upon which is supported a tank and a motor driven pump. A supply conduit is connected to the tank and is connectible to a reservoir which is adapted to contain a supply of calcium chloride solution. The liquid calcium chloride solution is pumped from the tank through an outlet conduit and is returned to the tank by return conduit. A control valve is interposed in flow controlling relation with respect to a filler conduit and the return conduit thus permitting the liquid to be supplied to the tire and to be evacuated therefrom. The tank is compartmented and the pump is positioned below the tank and below the connection of the return conduit to the tank so that the system is self-priming and the pump is flooded continuously.

llnited States Patent 1 Bayerkohler COMPACT PORTABLE TIRE SERVICINGDEVICE [75] Inventor: Weldon S. Bayerkohler, Okabena,

Minn.

[73] Assignee: A. F. Scheppman and Son Mfg.

Co., Okabena, Minn.

[22] Filed: Mar. 22, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 126,581

[52] U.S. Cl. ..141/231, 134/186, 141/38 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65b 31/00 [58]Field of Search ..118/50; 134/101,

Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Attorney-Wil1iamson, Palmatier &Bains, H. Dale Palmatier, Herman H. Bains and Malcolm L. Moore ABSTRACTA compact portable tire servicing device comprises a base having groundengaging wheels upon which is supported a tank and a motor driven pump.A supply conduit is connected to the tank and is connectible to areservoir which is adapted to contain a supply of calcium chloridesolution. The liquid calcium chloride solution is pumped from the tankthrough an outlet conduit and is returned to the tank by return conduit.A control valve is interposed in flow controlling relation with respectto a filler conduit and the return conduit thus permitting the liquid tobe supplied to the tire and to be evacuated therefrom. The tank iscompartmented and the pump is positioned below the tank and below theconnection of the return conduit to the tank so that the system isself-priming and the pump is flooded continuously.

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented A ril 24, 1973 3,729,033

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Y Weldon SBqyenQolz ler COMPACT PORTABLE TIRESERVICING DEVICE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Although there are certaincommercial type servicing systems, most of these systems are permanentinstallations and the presently available portable systems are quitebulky and cumbersome. It is therefore a general object of this inventionto produce a small cornpact portable tire servicing device in which thecomponents are all conveniently mounted on a wheel supported chassis sothat the device may be conveniently moved as desired. The pump of thetire servicing device may be readily primed by merely tilting thedevice.

Further, the tire servicing device includes a tank connectible by asuitable conduit to a reservoir of calcium chloride solution, the tankbeing positioned above the level of the pump so that the pump isconstantly flooded, thereby minimizing wear and damage to the p pa Thisdevice allows the filling of fluid and the evacuation of fluid and airfrom the tires without switching hoses or connections and eliminates theneed of a bypass hose to the fluid reservoir. The unique arrangement ofpump, siphon ejector valve and two compartment tank permits evacuationof air from the tire without having the air go through the pump. Thiscontributes to substantially longer pump life as the pump is cooled andlubricated by the constant flow of fluid passing through the pump.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will more fullyappear from the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspectiveview of a novel portable tire servicing device;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the components of the tire servicingdevice illustrating the direction of flow during the fill cycle;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating thedirection of flow during evacuation cycle; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the valve in an evacuation condition.

DETAILED SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings and morespecifically to FIG. II, it will be seen that one embodiment of thenovel tire servicing device, designated generally by the referencenumeral 10, is there shown. The tire servicing device includes agenerally rectangular shaped base or chassis formed of a suitable metaland having a pair of ground engaging wheels 12 secured thereto adjacentthe front corners thereof. It is pointed out that the wheels are mountedon the base only slightly above ground level so that the unit rests onthe base 11 and wheels when in use and in an untilted substantiallyhorizontal condition. When the handle is raised to tilt the unit, onlythe wheels then contact the ground surface for ease or portability. Agenerally U-shaped handle 13 is affixed to the rear portion of the baseIll and projects upwardly and rearwardly therefrom.

The base II serves to mount a plurality of the various components of thetire servicing device thereon and to this end, the base has a verticallyoriented small compartmented tank 15 mounted thereon and it will benoted that the tank 15, in the embodiment shown, is of generallyrectangular configuration. The tank 15 which is mounted on one side ofthe base includes an upper wall 16, a lower wall 17, end walls 1%, andside walls 19.

The tank is formed from a suitable plastic in a molding operationwherein the tank is comprised of two identical molded parts. It will beseen that each part of the tank has an outturned flange l4 integral withthe respective end, lower and upper wall portions thereof. The flangesare joined together by a suitable adhesive and the tank is mounted onthe base by means of said flange. The end walls and side walls actuallyconstitute upstanding peripheral walls, and it will be noted that theflange 141 mounts the tank so that lower wall 17 thereof is placedsubstantially above the upper surface of the base 1 ll.

The tank 15 has a divider wall 20 affixed to the respective innersurfaces of the upper wall 16 and side walls 19 and this divider wallextends transversely of the tank but terminates adjacent but spaced fromthe bottom wall 17. The divider wall 20 serves to divide the interior ofthe tank in a chamber 21 and a chamber 22 and these chambersintercommunicate with each other adjacent their lower portions.

The tank 15 has an opening therein to which is connected a fitting 23which in turn is connected to one end of an elongate supply conduit 24.The other end of the supply conduit 2 extends into and communicates withthe interior of a reservoir 25, which in the embodiment shown, comprisesa barrel. The barrel 25 is adapted to contain calcium chloride solutionand it is important to point out that the barrel requires no coverssince the present system is capable of drawing the liquid from an opentop container. It will also be noted that the fitting 23 is connected tothe tank so that it intercommunicates with the chamber 21.

A fitting 27 is connected to another opening in the tank 15 and thisfitting 27 is also connected to one end of anelongate outlet conduit 26.The outlet conduit 26 has a filter 28 interposed in flow controllingrelation therein which serves to filter the liquid chloride solution asit is discharged from the tank 15. In the embodiment shown, the outletconduit 26 intercommunicates with the chamber 22, and it will be notedthat the connection between the conduit 26 and the tank 15 is located ata lower level than the connection between the supply conduit 24 and thetank IS.

The other end of the outlet conduit 26 is connected by a fitting 31 tothe inlet 30 of a pump 29. The pump 29 is provided with a suitableelectric motor 32 for driving the pump, and a control valve 33 isconnected in flow controlling relation with respect to the outlet 34 ofthe pump 29. The control valve 33 has an actuating handle 33a which isshiftable between a fill position and an evacuation position.

One end of an elongate return conduit 35 is connected to the controlvalve 33 and the other end of this return conduit is connected by afitting 36 to the tank 15. It will be noted that the connection betweenthe return conduit 35 and the tank I5 is located at a lower level thanthe connection between the outlet conduit 26 and the tank 115. Further,the return conduit 35 intercommunicates with the chamber 21 adjacent thebottom thereof so that the liquid calcium chloride solution willconstantly flow by action of gravity through the return conduit 35 andinto the pump when the pump 29 is not energized.

One end of an elongate filler conduit 37 is interconnected to thecontrol valve, and the other end of this filler conduit has a dischargenozzle 38 thereat which is especially adapted for connection to theconventional valve of vehicle tires such as the valve of the tractortire T.

The filler conduit 37 is actually connected to a T- fitting 40 which inturn is connected to the control valve 33. One branch of the T-fitting40 has a gauge 41 mounted thereon, and a valve 42 is interposed in flowcontrolling relation with respect to the T-fitting 40. The valve 42 whenclosed permits an operator to isolate the tire and filler conduit fromthe remaining portion of the system. With this arrangement, the pressureof the tire may be readily read from the gauge 41. Normally, the valve42 will be maintained in an open condition. The valve 42 is providedwith a manually operable actuating handle 43 to facilitate ready openingand closing of this valve.

Suitable electrical conductors 44 for the electric motor 32 are providedwith electric clips at their free ends so that the clips can be readilyattached to the electrodes of a conventional wet cell storage battery46. Thus the motor 32 is adapted to be connected to a source of directelectric current to be operated thereby which again is a departure fromthe conventional systems. Ordinarily, the pumps and other variouscomponents of the conventional tire servicing devices require ACcurrent, compressed air motors, or gasoline engines for operationthereof. In the present system, a storage battery may be provided as acomponent of the device, or the unit may be operated from the storagebattery of a conventional vehicle such as a tractor, truck or the like.Suitable conductors 47 are also provided in the electric circuit for themotor 32 and these electric conductors are connected to a switch 48,which is shiftable between on and off positions.

In operation, the tire servicing device will be moved to the desiredlocation and the calcium chloride solution may be prepared at thelocation in the barrel 25 or other type reservoir. The tank will containa predetermined amount of the liquid chloride solution, and thissolution will flow by action of gravity through the return conduit toflood the pump 29. This flooding action will take place even though onlya small amount of fluid is in the tank 15.

In the event that only a very small amount of solution is in the tank15, the pump may be quickly primed by tilting the tire servicing devicein a forward direction. This may be accomplished by raising the rear endportion of the chassis ll by grasping and raising the handle 13. Whenthis occurs, the liquid within the tank will flow into the chamber 22since this chamber will be tilted downwardly whereby the liquid willflow through the outlet conduit 26 and into the pump 29. When the pumpis primed, the switch 48 may be closed so that the liquid will be pumpedfromthe chamber 22 through the conduit 26 and through the filler conduit37 to the tire during the fill cycle. It is pointed out that the handle33a will be positioned as shown in FIG. 3 so that the return conduit 35is closed with respect to the pump outlet and with respect to the tillerconduit 37. A negative pressure will be produced in the chamber 21 andcause the liquid within the reservoir 25 to flow into the tank 15. Itwill be noted that the liquid level in the chamber 22 is higher than theliquid level in the chamber 21 so that no air will pass into the pumpduring this cycle. The pump will be operated until the desired amount ofliquid is pumped into the tire, at which time the switch 48 may beopened to de-energize the motor and pump. The tire may thereafter besupplied with its desired amount of air from a source of air underpressure. Again it is pointed out that in the deenergized condition, thepump 29 will be flooded with the liquid because of its position relativeto the return conduit 35. However, lever 330 must be in the positionillustrated in FIG. 4 during storage to permit flooding of the pump.

When it is desired to evacuate the liquid and air from the tire, thetire servicing device will again be tilted to assure that the liquidwithin the tank 15 will fill the chamber 22 and flow outwardly throughthe outlet conduit 26, thereby eliminating the chance of air beingpulled through the pump. The handle 33a will be moved to the positionillustrated in FIG. 4. to intercommunicate the return conduit with thetiller conduit and with the outlet of the pump. The switch 48 will beenergized, thus causing the liquid to be pumped through the outletconduit 26 and through the return conduit 35. When this occurs, anegative pressure is produced thus causing the liquid to flow throughthe filler conduit and into the return conduit 35. It will be seen thatvalve 33 is provided with a venturi between the valve spool and the hose35 whereby the valve functions as a siphon, ejector or eductor valveduring evacuation. The liquid will again assume the position illustratedin FIG. 4 thus permitting air to be introduced into the chamber 21 andoutwardly through the supply conduit 24. This is possible since theconnection between the supply conduit 24 is located at a higher levelthan the connection between the outlet conduit and the tank 15. Air willbe evacuated along with the liquid, and after all of the air has beenremoved, the liquid will till the tank 15 and thereafter flow into thebarrel or other reservoir 25. During this entire operation, no air ispumped though the pump because of the construction of the tank 15 andbecause of the connections of the various conduits with respect to thetank.

The divider wall 20 serves to permit the pump to be nicely primed bymerely tilting the chassis in a forward direction and also precludes thechance of air being forced through the pump. Further, the chambered tankalso eliminates the need of a special air receptacle or by-pass hose tothe reservoir which is necessary in other types of tire servicingdevices. It will also be seen from the foregoing description that thepump is maintained in flooded condition while it is inoperative, thusminimizing corrosion to the pump.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a novel tire servicing devicewhich is not only of simple and inexpensive construction, but one whichfunctions in a more efficient manner than any heretofore knowncomparable device.

What is claimed is:

l. A compact portable pumping and siphoning device for selectivelydispensing and evacuating a liquid to and from a receptacle comprising abase,

ground engaging wheels connected to said base for supporting the samefor travel,

an elongate handle secured to said base to facilitate movement of saiddevice,

a tank mounted on said base, said tank having an upper wall, a lowerwall and upstanding peripheral walls,

a motor driven pump having an inlet and an outlet,

an electric circuit including a source of direct current and said motordriven pump, and including a switch for selectively energizing andde-energizing said electric circuit,

a control valve connected in flow controlling relation with the outletof said pump, said valve being adjustable between a fill and anevacuation position,

a supply conduit having one end thereof connected in communicatingrelation with said tank adjacent the upper wall thereof and having itsother end adapted to communicate with a reservoir of liquid,

an elongate outlet conduit having one end thereof connected incommunicating relation to the tank adjacent the upper wall thereof andhaving its other end connected in communicating relation with the inletof said pump, the connection between said outlet conduit and said tankbeing located at a lower level than the connection between the supplyconduit and said tank,

said tank having a transverse wall extending transversely of theinterior of the tank from the upper wall thereof to divide the interiorof said tank into a pair of compartments, said compartmentsintercommunicating with each other adjacent the lower portion of saidtank interior, said outlet conduit communicating directly with one ofsaid chambers, and said supply conduit communicating directly with theother of said chambers.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 and a mounting plate for mountingsaid tank so the lower wall thereof is positioned above said pumpwhereby liquid will flow by action of gravity into said pump with thelatter is deenergized.

1. A compact portable pumping and siphoning device for selectivelydispensing and evacuating a liquid to and from a receptacle comprising abase, ground engaging wheels connected to said base for supporting thesame for travel, an elongate handle secured to said base to facilitatemovement of said device, a tank mounted on said base, said tank havingan upper wall, a lower wall and upstanding peripheral walls, a motordriven pump having an inlet and an outlet, an electric circuit includinga source of direct current and said motor driven pump, and including aswitch for selectively energizing and de-energizing said electriccircuit, a control valve connected in flow controlling relation with theoutlet of said pump, said valve being adjustable between a fill and anevacuation position, a supply conduit having one end thereof connectedin communicating relation with said tank adjacent the upper wall thereofand having its other end adapted to communicate with a reservoir ofliquid, an elongate outlet conduit having one end thereof connected incommunicating relation to the tank adjacent the upper wall thereof andhaving its other end connected in communicating relation with the inletof said pump, the connection between said outlet conduit and said tankbeing located at a lower level than the connection between the supplyconduit and said tank, said tank having a transverse wall extendingtransversely of the interior of the tank from the upper wall thereof todivide the interior of said tank into a pair of compartments, saidcompartments intercommunicating with each other adjacent the lowerportion of said tank interior, said outlet conduit communicatingdirectly with one of said chambers, and said supply conduitcommunicating directly with the other of said chambers.
 2. The device asdefined in claim 1 and a mounting plate for mounting said tank so thelower wall thereof is positioned above said pump whereby liquid willflow by action of gravity into said pump with the latter isde-energized.